Convict Stories That Transform Hearts and Minds

The criminal justice system is too often focused more on punishment than they are on rehabilitation and many prosecutors agree. Following the conviction of two young men in Manhattan murder, assistant district attorney Lucy Lang was surprised when the victim’s mother expressed concern about the mothers of the convicted men. That caused Ms. Lang to consider whether she should be giving more thought to the impact of incarceration on individuals and communities.

In response, she created a college class to allow prosecutors and incarcerated students engage in joint study. The class focused on the experiences of incarcerated students and readings about justice,violence,punishment,and race. Ms Lang reports, “My students have me convinced that criminal justice reform must prioritize prison reform,and that prosecutors have a critical role to play in that project.”

Lang compares the role of a prosecutor to that of a doctor. A doctor would not admit a patient to a facility where the patient’s condition would unquestionably worsen, would likely contract a disease, or would ultimately be released with a condition that would undermine public health.

Likewise, prosecutors should not admit individuals to jails or prisons where they are likely to be released in worse shape than when they were admitted.

Lang concludes, “Prosecutors can promote long-term public safety and accountability, while also manifesting the empathy that has been too long in our system. The integrity of the system depends on it.” (1)

“We are living in a time where people are yearning for something to move us through the violence toward healing, transformative possibilities,and new beginnings. We are able to firmly complain that change and healing are possible.” (2)

Educating society through empowered survivors of prison is powerful and affective. People who went to prison for serious harms in the community and who lived years behind bars tending to personal transformation and the care of prison community- - The voices of incarcerated individuals are rarely volunteered to be heard, and is unfortunate since they have a more profound impact on others. They build more powerful relationships - - afterwards, their stories transform hearts and minds.

Ordinary people’s stories can shift people’s perceptions about things they have abhorred or ignored. And being in genuine and caring relationships with people who have lived through the oppressive systems we are seeking to change helps these stories become more than a panel presentation or public education experience.

These stories are essential in building a movement grounded in the human possibility to change and love. In order for wrongs to be righted, accountability to be established, relationships to be restored, and transformation to unfold - - again and again, we need to make sure the impacted parties are allowed to participate in the process.

“When uplifting personal transformation and resilience, it’s important to share the victories that happen on an individual level.” (3)

Nicholas Kelly MDOC # 648663 (Oct 10,2024)

(1) “Prosecutors Need to take the lead in Reforming prisons,” by Lucy Lang, the Atlantic.com, August 27,2019

(2) ASI; MI CURE, 2019

(3) American Friend Service Committee;

Michigan Criminal Justice Program,2021